Prof. Ph.D. Javier Rufino Viguri Fuente

Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Basque Country and Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cantabria, UC, Spain. He is involved (1992/Present) in the UC Chemical Engineering Degree and Master/Doctorate Programs “Chemical Engineering and Process Engineering” as well as in the University of Cádiz (2007/Present) “Erasmus Mundus Master and Doctorate in Water and Coastal Management”.

The research activity developed is focused on subjects related to the characterisation, control, environmental assessment and sustainable management of industrial wastes and marine sediments. Direction and collaboration in Research and Development Projects at International, European and National level as well as transference results projects with the industrial sector. He has participated in more than 70 SCI papers, 1 invention patent, 150 International Congress and 10 Ph Thesis supervision, obtaining 4 research periods of 6 years from the Spanish Education Ministry. Member of the Editorial Board of the journal “Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management” from the SETAC. During 2010 developed a research stay of 8 months at the Chemical Engineering Department of the Carnegie Mellon University (USA).

The multidisciplinary research group shows the future research project, where i) will create and apply massive analytical methodologies, including meta-omics (metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics), which will allow the development of new tools and the identification of unbiased biomarkers, ii) the study of physiological, biochemical and functional responses in the selected organisms will be performed, and iii) a modeling approach will be applied to predict the biological effects of these contaminants and determine links across the food web in order to improve marine environmental risk assessment.

Waste information is necessary for proper management planning. However, data on waste generation and management are sometimes not reliable enough, do not exist or are not useful. In the Spanish region of Cantabria, all waste streams generated are covered through four specific Waste Plans which are the framework to the decision-making processes related to waste management. These Plans were developed from a series of baseline data on waste streams. But it has been necessary to establish a system of environmental information which allows obtaining reliable information for monitoring.

Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) are used to analyse Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sn, Zn and As in seawater due to their toxic effects to animal and human health. Obtained results would be useful for a better understanding of metal mobilisation depending on the treatment of the seawater when using DGTs and also to better understand the behaviour of different metals under acidification conditions.

Potential CO2 leakages from CCS storage sites and accidental chemical spills change the pH of the seawater decreasing it to extreme pH values in specific sea areas for a limited period of time. These acidic pH values cause the release of pollutants from sediment and provoke toxic effects to receptor organisms.

The BAS (Biofilm Activated Sludge) process is comprised of MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) pre-treatment followed by conventional AS (activated sludge) which presents several advantages in comparison with conventional wastewaters technologies. In this study the BAS process is used for the treatment of wastewaters coming from a viscose and cellulose industry. Initially, the process is simulated using a wastewater process simulator BioWin under the three different scenarios and the experimental results are compared with the simulated results. Later on, the optimization of the process is carried out by the minimization of the operation cost since the nutrient dosage of N and P can be reduced until the COD percentage removal is affected. Finally, the introduction of urban waters together with the industrial wastewaters is studied to minimize the costs of the addition of chemicals nutrients.

This study evaluates the use of the LCA methodology to quantify the environmental implications of incorporating Waelz slag as substitute of clay in the production of standard bricks. The results show that the environmental impacts associated with the brick containing Waelz slag are lower than those estimated for the conventional brick. This was observed in all life cycle stages. Besides, resources is the category most affected during life cycle of both bricks.

The evolution of the studied metal release with time from the CEN/TS 14997 standard is addressed at various pH values in the range of 4-7. The obtained kinetic results are a useful tool for the assessment of metal release from sediment under potential pH changes and for the performance of a pre-incidental planning before the implantation of CCS technologies in the North of Spain.

The aim of the present study is to establish and integrate a model between chemical and biological areas in this field of science. In order to achieve this, some leaching tests under different conditions have been performed by CO2 injection system.

The present study performs an assessment of existing risk assessment tools literature to evaluate storage phase of CCS taking into account the mobilisation of metals from contaminated marine sediment as consequence of seawater acidification due to the CO2 leakages. The use of SOM allows the integration of variables in order to classify leaching tests conditions according to their similar leaching behaviour.

The aim of this work is to characterize contaminated sediment from an estuarine area in the continental shelf of the Cantabrian Sea (northern Spain) in order to assess the environmental significance of pollution in sediment and to assess the best management option as dredged material. The studied area, reserved as a potential CO2 store, is characterized by a high industrial activity and by a considerable urban density.

In this work, a comparative study of four different MCA methods; Weighted Summation, Regime, Electre II and Evamix; was performed by means its application to select optimal locations for C&DW management facilities in Cantabria, Spain. Results obtained ar e analyzed in order to assess if the method applied may provide different results with the same data, which may lead to a non-objective identification of the best alternative. Besides, analyses of the sensitivity and uncertainty of the results have been also carried out in order to investigate the robustness of the results obtained. Uncertainty of input data includes uncertainty in data selection and uncertainty in measurement values, whereas uncertainty in the model itself includes model structure and parameters. The main results show that the application of more than one MCA method to verify the results is highly recommended; mainly to locate CDW recycling facilities due to this decision involves a large investment that must be insured for a long time.

The European Commission considers Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) as a priority waste stream due to the large amounts generated. Cantabria is a northern Spanish region where new CDW legislation (BOC, 2010) has been developed and, as a consequence, a network of CDW distribution with recycling facilities and transfer stations needs to be properly located. This work deals with this objective by means of an optimization model that takes into account not only economical and environmental criteria but social aspects of the region as well. The proposed final network includes three facilities: two recycling plants and one transfer station. The municipality where each facility must be located, the capacity of them and the distribution network of the waste is also determined.

This study provides a better knowledge of key parameters controlling the mobility of metals from contaminated marine sediment in contact with acidified seawater using static and dynamic leaching tests. Experimental results of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn are modeled with Visual MINTEQ geochemical software to predict metal release from sediment. The obtained results would be useful as a line of evidence input for the risk assessment of CCS site where acidified seawater at different concentrations of CO2 is in contact with sediment.

The objective of this work is to generate new knowledge about the potential effects of CO2 leakages on contaminated marine sediment in CCS systems by means of the analysis and assessment of the mobility of metals and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and the effects on the biota mimicking CO2 leakages in sub-seabed geological formations.

The contribution shows the approaches to valorize the main compounds of the spent sulfite liquor from digestion process: (i) improving delignification step of the wood chips avoiding sugar denaturalization and the inhibitor compounds for the next fermentation processes, and (ii) completing the depolymerization of the carbohydrate polymers, obtaining the same quality of dissolving pulp.

Adequate location of C&DW recycling facilities is a complex process requiring the assessment of several criteria. In this work geospatial criteria with a methodology based on GIS with a making decision process using AHP have been used and a final ranking of location sites has been obtained.

WASCON 2012 - 8th International Conference on the Environmental and Technical Implications of Construction with Alternative Materials. Gothenburg (Sweden), 30 May to 1 June 2012. http://www.swedgeo.se/wascon2012

Contribution:

Poster, WASCON POSTER PRIZE

Proceedings:

Proceedings of the Wascon 2012

Abstract:

The aim of this paper is the identification of the location and capacity of the transfer stations and processing plants and the corresponding management network by means of an optimization model that minimizes: (i) medium transportation distance (ii) total management costs (installation, operation and landfill) with and without administrative predefined areas. The model is formulated as MILP problem where the binary variables represent the presence or not of management facilities at a location. GAMS is used as a high-level modelling system for the resolution of the mathematical programs. The obtained results show very different C&DW treatment networks with total cost ranging from 3.53 to 4.34 mill €/y and medium transport distance ranging from 14.77 to 24.10 km.

The main objective of this work is the development of the model which predicts the mobility of Pb and Zn under different scenarios of contaminated sediment-CO2 acidified seawater contact. The equilibrium results are fit to Freundlich isotherms and the adjusted parameters have been calculated. A porosity kinetic model of the evolution of Pb and Zn concentrations with L/S is proposed; the model allows to estimate the superficial diffusivity of the intra-particle Zn and Pb parameter as 5.43·10-12 cm2/s and 1.05·10-12 cm2/s, respectively.

This research evaluates the risk of CO2 leakages from CCS technology through the effect of different type of water (deionized water, seawater and CO2 acidified seawater) on the leaching release of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn from contaminated marine sediments by means of a geochemical modeling (Visual Minteq software). Column and equilibrium leaching tests were carried out on marine sediments as a function of different L/S ratios and pH. An important challenge lies in combining leaching results and geochemical modeling to provide insight into the mechanisms involved in contaminant mobility and possible explanations for field observations.

Spent sulfite liquor is obtained as a waste of the process of manufacturing dissolving pulp and due to its composition it can be exploited as a byproduct in other areas of research. Physico-chemical characterization of this waste is the primary goal of this work. Furthermore, in order to study the options for its valorization, sugars, lignosulfonates and other individual components have been determined. The most referenced options to valorize the spent sulfite liquor are lignosulfonates, bioethanol, xylitol, polyhidroxibutirate and hydrogen

In this work the methodology developed by European Environmental Agency has been used as a starting point in developing a set of Specific Indicators on the primary sector waste. Eleven indicators have been developed to evaluate the generation and management of forest, agricultural, livestock and food industry waste. These indicators allow not only monitoring the primary sector waste management, but also they highlight the precarious situation in relation to knowledge of actions undertaken in the sector in relation to their waste and with the information flows. Therefore, in this paper the analysis of difficulties for management the available information has been carried out.

Book of abstracts - 6th International Conference on Environmental Engineering and Management, ICEEM06.

Abstract:

In this work, a methodology based in Multicriteria Analysis with the aim of locating C&DW recycling facilities has been developed and applied to a real-life case in Cantabria, a northern Spanish region. The region has been divided in geographical areas in which different alternative locations for recycling facilities have been assessed. One of these geographical areas was evaluated and a compromise solution based on economic, environmental and social criteria has been provided by Definite 3.0 MCA software. Four multicriteria analysis methods: Evamix (EV), Weighted Summation (WS), Electre II (E2) and Regime (REG) have been performed in order to obtain the most suitable locations. Analyses of the sensitivity and uncertainty of the results have been also carried out in order to investigate the robustness of the solutions obtained. Therefore, the main findings of this research have showed the robustness and reliability of the application of MCA methodology for C&DW site location

International Conference and Exhibition WASTES: Solutions, Treatments and Opportunities.

Proceedings:

Book of Abstract. ISBN 978-989-97429-0-1

Abstract:

Human activity is increasing the concentration in the atmosphere of greenhouse gases. This is expected to result in a significant warming of the earth’s surface and other associated changes in climate within the next few decades. The greenhouse gases (GHG) that are making the largest contribution to global warming are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). All three are produced during the management and disposal of wastes. Local climate action has been identified as a vital contributor to global mitigation of greenhouse gases emission. Carbon footprint (CF) being a quantitative expression of GHG emissions from an activity helps in emission management and evaluation of mitigation measures. The concept of CF has permeated and is being commercialized in all the areas of life and economy, but there is little coherence in definitions and calculation of CF among the studies. In this work the CF tool has been applied to measure the environmental impact of the municipal solid waste management in the region of Cantabria, Northern Spain. All steps of the waste management have been taken in account: collection, transport, processing and final treatment, for the period 2005–2009. The results showed a continuous decrease of the Carbon Footprint of the waste management throughout the years.

Spanish Ministry of Environmentand Rural and Marine Affairs (Ed.).Madrid, pp.119.1st Prize Innovation Research and Technology in the fight against marine pollution of the Coast, 2008. Ministry of the Presidency. Government of Spain

Batch and column leaching tests were performed on contaminated marine sediment from the north of Spain at different liquid-to-solid ratios (LS) to determine the mechanisms controlling metal release. This study evaluates the effect of different type of water and pH (deionized water, seawater and acidified seawater) on the release behavior of pH, conductivity, TOC and Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb. The workstudy the potential impact of CO2 leakages from Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies used as climate change mitigation option.

The objective of this research is to study the availability, mobility and pH effects of substances from marine sediments in contact to potential CO2 leakages via batch (static) and column (dynamic) leaching tests. Leaching data of pH, conductivity, TOC and constituent release (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb) was compared from the different type of leaching tests providing the basis to the risk assessment of the Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology.

This paper proposes and integrated multicriteria decision analysis MCDA framework for the evaluation of technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects of sediment management with the explicit consideration of the spatial extent of remedial alternatives. The framework is a two-tiered process that starts with the geographical identification of management sites and then prioritizes management alternatives for the selected sites. An application of this methodology to a case study in Bay of Santander, is presented. The results are used to visualize stakeholder positions, allowing identification of a group of least preferred alternatives for all stakeholders.

WasteEng10, 3rd International Conference on Engineering for Waste and Biomass Valorisation held in Beijing, China. 17-19 May 2010.

Contribution:

Poster

Proceedings:

Book of abstracts - 3rd International Conference on Engineering for Waste and Biomass Valorisation

Abstract:

Construction and demolition waste (C&DW) constitutes a priority waste stream in the European waste strategy due to its large volume and its high recycling and reuse potential. Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, stresses the need of quantify the waste stream and to improve the material recovery efficiency of C&DW in the European Union. Designing a suitable network of facilities involves an adequate knowledge of the inputs to material recovery facilities. In this work, a methodology for the quantification of C&DW has been developed and applied to the case study in Cantabria, a northern Spanish region. The quantification of C&DW was calculated by means of an equation which combines municipal licenses and ratios of waste per unit area of construction, demolition and renovation. The selected ratios for the study case in Cantabria belongs to four northern Spanish regions, and they were developed by two associations of architects, one technological institute and by the regional legislation recently developed in the region.

In this sense in this work it is proposed an integrative evaluation to assess the potential risk associated to leakage of CO2 from CO2 in Sub-Seabed Ecological Structures (CS-SSGS) technology on marine sediments. The main objective of this study is based on the development and application of an integrative assessment to determine the effect associated to the acidification of marine sediment due to the leakage of CO2. The main methodology applied in this work compromises the use of different lines of evidence: contamination, toxicity under laboratory effects, field adverse effects and bioaccumulation of selected chemicals. In this work is described the design of integrative methodology applied to evaluate the quality of marine sediments associated with potential leaks of CO2.

In recent years, environmental indicators have become a vital component of environmental impact assessments and “state of the environmental” reporting. This has increased the influence of environmental indicators on environmental management and policy making at all scales of decision making. The environmental indicators are grouped in set of indicators, giving a vision global of environmental state. In this work the DPSIR (Driving forces-Pressure-States-Impact-Responses) framework developed by European Environmental Agency (EEA) has been used as a starting point in developing a set of Specific Indicators. In the development of this set of indicators, each one is directly related to policy objectives and targets identified in the Cantabria Waste Plan 2006-2010. Therefore, the synthesis, development, application of and interpretation of results of a set of specific indicators have carried out for evaluating of waste management policy in the regional area.

The increasing care about the environment has influenced the more and more frequent need to take environmental criteria into account in the decision making with others historically further developed like the economic, technological or social criteria. This combination of factors complicates the quantitative analysis of alternatives that the decision maker has to confronting. Furthermore there are many environmental factors difficult to make a comparison and to quantify. In order to be able to study the influence of all these factors, the Multicriteria Analysis Methods are used. The Multicriteria Analysis (MCA) is a mathematical tool which evaluates different alternatives using a sequence of criteria previously decided. This tool is used in a wide range of decision problems, including the environmental management. The advantages of using this kind of tools are: a) the decision is structured into manageable sub components; b) directly involves the stakeholders and the negotiation among the actors implicated is easier; c) a great diversity of problems can be included and; d) it can act as a process of nonstop learning. The main objective of this work is to intensify in the knowledge of the tool through its application to a case study: Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) in north Spain. The following tasks have been carried out: i) a bibliographic review of the MCA methods used for the decision making in all kind of issues (see figure 1); ii) selection of the methods MCA more utilized on environmental issues; iii) influence of the different selected MCA methods and the number of alternatives and criteria used in each MCA method on study case (MSWM).

In this work a review of current waste management models based on multicriteria decision analysis is outlined and the most important conclusions of this review are given. In addition four of the most used Multicriteria techniques (AHP, ELECTRE, PROMETHEE and Regime Methods) are analysed in detail. On the other hand, at the present time, many models recognise that for a waste management model to be sustainable, it must consider environmental, economic and social aspects. In this sense, the model used must consider the three aspects together in the application of the model. Among these characteristics, flexibility is its main property; Multicriteria Analysis can be used to find the best Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management techniques following sustainability criteria. A review of the MSW generation and treatment statistics in Cantabria region, in North Spain, has been carried out. The statistic analysis will show the problematic situation in the region, and the values will be used in the application of the Multicriteria Decision Analysis. From the results obtained of using the ELECTRE Multicriteria techniques, it has been chosen the best combination of MSW management techniques following sustainability criteria. The main target of this last objective is not only to find the best MSW management techniques for Cantabria region, also to show the utility of the Multicriteria Analysis as a tool in environmental decision problems.

There are a lot of systems of environmental indicators proposed by several organisms, and whose approach and objectives differ at sometimes substantially. A widely study of systems of indicators proposed by the different organisms about the waste area has been carried out by the Focal Point on Waste of Cantabria, and a set of indicators to evaluate the situation of waste in Cantabria has helped. The waste information management is executed through three systems of indicators, which correspond to different levels of concretion. The Basic Indicators that allowing a comparative evaluation of the results obtained in different contexts; to give answers to more concrete policy questions and to identify priority actions, more detailed indicators are needed, the Specific Indicators that evaluating the objectives of the Cantabria Waste Programme 2005-2010, and finally the Transverse Indicators, which establish a relationship between the waste area with the other aspects of the sustainability.